Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease At Altitude

University of Zurich50 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of a stay at moderate altitude on exercise performance of patients with chronic obstructive lung disease.

Patients with moderate to severe COPD living below 800 m, will be recruited to participate in a randomized cross-over field trial evaluating the hypothesis that exercise capacity during a 4 day sojourn at moderate altitude is reduced in comparison to low altitude. Outcomes will be assessed during 2 days in Zurich (490 m, low altitude baseline), 2 days at Davos Clavadel (1650 m), and 2 days at Davos Jakobshorn (2590 m). The main outcome is the 6 minute walk distance.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Interventions

altitude exposureOTHER

stay at different altitudes: 490, 1630, 2590 m

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 75 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), GOLD grade 2-3 * residents at low altitude (\<800 m) Exclusion Criteria: * Unstable condition, COPD exacerbation * Mild (GOLD 1) or very severe COPD (GOLD 4) * requirement for oxygen therapy at low altitude residence * hypoventilation * pulmonary hypertension * more than mild or unstable cardiovascular disease * use of drugs that affect respiratory center drive * internal, neurologic or psychiatric disease that interfere with protocol compliance including current heavy smoking (\>20 cigarettes per day), inability to perform 6 min walk test. * previous intolerance to moderate altitude (\<2600m). * Exposure to altitudes \>1500m for \>2 days within the last 4 weeks before the study. * Pregnant or nursing patients

Locations (1)

University Hospital Zurich, Pulmonary Division

Zurich, Switzerland

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in exercise performance from baseline measured at 490 m

6 min walk distance

Time frame: Change in 6 min walk distance from 490 m baseline during 2 days at 2590 m

Secondary Outcomes

Change in exercise performance from baseline measured at 490 m

6 min walk distance

Time frame: Change in 6 min walk distance from 490 m baseline during 2 days at 1650 m

Change in pulmonary function from baseline measured at 490 m

lung volumes by spirometry

Time frame: Change in pulmonary function from 490 m baseline during 2 days at 2590 m

Change in pulmonary function from baseline measured at 490 m

lung volumes by spirometry

Time frame: Change in pulmonary function from 490 m baseline during 2 days at 1650 m

Change in arterial blood gases from baseline measured at 490 m

Arterial blood gas analysis

Time frame: Change in arterial blood gases from 490 m baseline during 2 days at 2590 m

Change in arterial blood gases from baseline measured at 490 m

Arterial blood gas analysis

Time frame: Change in arterial blood gases from 490 m baseline during 2 days at 1650 m

Change in perceived exertion from baseline measured at 490 m

Borg CR10 scale at end of 6 min walk

Time frame: Change in perceived exertion from 490 m baseline during 2 days at 2590 m

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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